Telangana row: `File cheat case against Chidambaram, Shinde`

New Delhi/Hyderabad: In a major embarrassment to the Congress government at the Centre, a court in Andhra Pradesh on Monday directed the state police to register a case against two UPA ministers for giving false assurances to the people of Telangana on the issue of its statehood.

According to reports, the order was passed by the Rangareddy District Court in response to a petition filed by Andhra Pradesh Junior Advocates Association against former Home Minister P Chidambaram and incumbent Sushilkumar Shinde for delaying a decision on Telanagana.

The court then allowed the police to file a case against the two senior UPA ministers and congress party leaders under Section 420 of the IPC for false commitment over Telangana state declaration.

The court’s order is big jolt for the ruling Congress government both in the state and at the Centre, which has repeatedly assured a quick fix on the Telangana issue.

The court ruling also comes on a day when mass protests are being held in parts of Andhra Pradesh by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which has threatened to intensify the stir for a separate state after Centre deferred a decision on Telangana.

The pro-Telanaga groups have termed the Centre’s move as a ‘big betrayal’ and decided to launch an agitation targeting Congress ministers, MPs and state legislators in the region.
TRS leader K Tarakarama Rao demanded resignation of all Congress MPs and ministers to pressurise the Centre to concede their demand.

Shinde, who had said after all-party meeting on December 28 that the government will decide on the issue within a month, stated in Delhi on Sunday evening that it needs more time.

He said the consultations on the issue were on.
Earlier in the day, Azad told reporters that more consultations were needed on the issue. He said the party would consult Chief Minister, state party chief and leaders from all three regions of the state. He also made it clear that no deadline was set for completing the consultations.

There were mixed reactions to their statements from the Congress leaders in Telangana. Some MPs said they were disappointed but hoped that the Centre would soon take a positive decision.

State minister K Jana Reddy was hopeful that despite the delay, Congress would take a decision in tune with the aspirations of the people of Telangana.